One Of The Best Defenses Disappoints

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesSam Acho

Texas’ Defense went into the UCLA game as one of the best rushing defenses — and granted, the defensive line played a major role in carrying the team to its first two victories, they may have been asleep during the game against UCLA.

Out of 65 offensive plays, the Bruins only threw the ball nine times for a total of 27 yards, but were able to get an additional 264 yard, thanks to the Longhorns. Putting up over 150 rushing yards against the Longhorns would have been impressive, but the 264 yards composed by UCLA was well beyond even the most optimistic expectations of Bruins fans and players.

Regardless, of how great Texas’ defense was proclaimed to be, the defense just could not seem to keep the Bruins out of the end zone. However, if it were not for the O-lines mistakes, the defense would not have been in the predicament.

Maybe They Should Visit Oz For Some Courage

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesTexas Longhorns

All the previous factors of how the Longhorns are failing in performance build up to this point. But in addition, the team seems to lack a level of confidence that last year’s Longhorn championship contending team possessed. It takes much more than talent to be good.

Quarterback Garret Gilbert needs to have confidence in his offensive line and get the ball to them in a quickly manner —without overthrowing the ball like he did on Saturday. Once the O-line finds their niche, it should be impossible to keep them away from the end zone.

No Looking Back

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesQB Garrett Gilbert

More importantly, the Longhorns really need to stop thinking about how far they got last year and think about what could be salvaged from this year.

It is not too late to make a come back and save their reputation on the field, but they can’t do it by trying to compare themselves to last year’s team. What happened in 2009, stays in 2009…there’s no going back.

On To The Next One

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The Longhorns have much work to do in gaining back some respect and staying ranked in the top ten.

They have to impress against the next two teams on their schedule—long time rival Oklahoma and the team they beat in the Big 12 Championship last year, Nebraska. Rough weeks lie ahead for Texas, but let’s see if they can bounce back and defeat the odds.